2005 AUSTRALIAN MOTOCROSS

2005 AUSTRALIAN MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

• NEW SEASON STARTED MARCH 20, 2005
• ANDERSON BACK FROM USA
• 2004 CHAMPIONS BACK TO DEFEND THEIR TITLES: Darryll King & Cody Cooper

AFTER FINAL ROUND: Conondale, July 3, 2005

• 2ND, D KING (Yamaha): “Second really means nothing to me. I am so disappointed I couldn’t retain the number 1 plate for the CDR/Nokia/Yamaha team but I will be back and I look forward to taking the plate from Hurley next year. The bike was great but once the vibration started it seemed to get worse and worse so I had no choice but to slow down and inspect the cause of it. I battled all race with my foot which I will get set in plaster once I get home on Tuesday"
• PRO LITE CHAMPION, C TAYLOR (Yamaha): "It is an awesome feeling. I really can’t thank Gavin Eales and the guys at Serco Yamaha enough for their hard work and dedication this year. My race result in the first race was not great but I did what I needed to get the job done. I was conscious of throwing it away and probably rode a lot more cautiously than I normally would. I am really happy I have given Serco their first major championship crown and now it is on to securing the Supercross title as well."

2005 CALENDAR + RACE RESULTS

2005 RIDERS

PRO OPEN CLASS riders include:

• Darryll King (NZ), Yamaha YZ450F - 2004 champion
• Craig Anderson, Honda CRF450R - 2002 champion
• Shayne King (NZ), Honda CRF450R
• Danny Ham, Suzuki RM-Z450
• Daryl Hurley, Suzuki RM-Z450
• Lee Ellis, KTM 450SXR
• Shane Metcalfe, Kawasaki KX250

PRO LITE CLASS riders include:

• Cody Cooper (NZ) , Honda CRF250R - 2004 champion
• Troy Carroll, Yamaha YZ250F - 2003 champion
• Cameron Taylor, Yamaha YZ250F
• Troy Dorron, Honda CRF250R
• Daniel McCoy, KTM 250SXF
• Daniel Reardon, Kawasaki KX250F
• Mitch Hoad, Yamaha YZ250F
• Luke Burkhart (NZ), Suzuki RM-Z25

PREVIEW - PRESS RELEASE - HONDA MPE, MAR 16, 2005

NO FEAR'S ANDO READY FOR ROUND ONE MX - COOPER QUESTIONABLE

Pulses are racing at Honda MPE in anticipation of the first round of the Australian Championship Motocross series to commence at Wonthaggi this weekend, and for more reasons than one. In addition to being keyed up about his first attempt at winning a championship series on home soil since 2002, the team's lead rider ? Craig Anderson ? has been spending every spare moment either training at the gym or practicing on the new CRF450R. The New South Wales based rider has also been able to fit in a couple of races in Queensland earlier this year including the Brisbane Stadium Motocross series and the Warwick round of the Motocross Championships, taking out the winner's prize for both events.

To get his head around the track that he hasn't raced at for some time, Ando ripped it up with the rest of the competition at last weekend's Wonthaggi practice day, coming away solid and satisfied with the day. "Physically, I'm feeling really good. Mentally, I'm feeling confident, especially now that I've had a chance to run the track at Wonthaggi," Anderson noted. "What's been really great since coming back to Australia and to Honda is that we've had no issues at all with the bike. Everyone is really happy with what we've got to work with as a stock standard machine. I know I made the right choice in coming back here and especially coming back to Honda."

Just for something a little different, Anderson also took time out to join his fellow Honda factory road riders at the launch of the new CBR600RR at Eastern Creek last month. "Riding a road bike on a race track is a fantastic experience!," he said with a grin. "I couldn't get enough of it on the day. "I've ridden on the road before but that was the first time on a proper circuit. What a blast."

Whilst Anderson is set to give last year's frontrunners, brothers Darryll and Shayne King, a run for their money, there is a question mark over No Fear's 2004 Pro Lite Champion Cody Cooper. Cooper's fitness is in question after the Kiwi sustained a suspected acromioclavicular joint separation (AC separation) at a local Victorian event two weeks ago. Although he is on the mend, Cooper and Team Manager Pip Harrison will decide shortly, based on doctor's advice, whether he will race the first round. "I'm disappointed obviously," Cody said. "I would like to race but there is a chance that I will need to rest it out for the first round. There will still be time to catch up. It just means I'll have to work even harder."

During the break in the championship season, the Team's additional Pro Lite rider, Troy Dorron, has also been working hard to get ready for Wonthaggi and to return to 100% fitness after copping a blow to the back in a state event last month. "Its getting better each day," Doz noted. "I am still a bit stiff so I think the first round of motocross will be a little tough but I should be right very soon. I'm definitely looking forward to the season though. I'll be giving it my all this year. I had some good results last year and I know I can better that if things go to plan."

Rebecca Lipsett will also get her chance to shine this weekend after a less than ideal season last year saw her finish up the women's class in 4th position. With no women's class incorporated into this particular series, Bec will be out busting the berms with the fellas in the National Cup class that will run at five out of the eight rounds. "I'm just aiming to do the best I can and have a great time," Bec noted. I like racing with the guys and I think being able to practice a bit with my team mates is helping me to improve as well."

LAST SEASON: 2004 RESULTS

• PRO OPEN MOTOCROSS CLASS
• 1 Darryll King (NZ) Yamaha , 6 wins, 371 points
  2 Shayne King Honda , 2 wins, 323
  3 Jay Marmont KTM 284
• PRO LITE MOTOCROSS CLASS
• 1 Cody Cooper (NZ) Honda , 4 wins, 344 points
  2 Cameron Taylor Yamaha 333
  3 Troy Dorron Honda 294
• WOMEN MOTOCROSS CLASS
• 1 Lisa Irwin Honda 169 points
• JUNIOR MOTOCROSS CLASS
• 1 Matt Moss Yamaha 167 points

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